Comparability — Bangladesh [top]

The 1997 Bangladesh survey asks only about the date of marriage. Cohabitation prior to marriage is not included in the date of marriage/union. The 1994, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2014 Bangladesh surveys ask about the date of their first marriage or cohabitation. All Bangladesh samples are restricted to women who were formally married.

Comparability — Burkina Faso [top]

The Burkina Faso 1993 survey asks, "In what month and year did you consummate your first union?"

Comparability — Egypt [top]

The Egypt 1988, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2008 surveys ask about the month and year when the woman "entered into a marriage contract." Cohabitation prior to marriage is not included in the date of marriage/union, and these samples are restricted to women who were formally married.

Comparability — Ethiopia [top]

All standard date variables in Ethiopia DHS samples are given in the Ethiopian calendar. The Ethiopian year consists of 365 days, divided into 12 months of 30 days and one month of 5 days (6 days in a leap year). According to the Gregorian calendar, the Ethiopian year begins September 11 and ends the following September 10. The 13th month of the Ethiopian calendar falls in September. It is only possible to convert dates given in the Ethiopian calendar to the Gregorian calendar when the exact date (day, month and year) is available. Otherwise, it is only possible to approximate to the month. In general, the Ethiopian calendar is 92 months behind the Gregorian calendar.

Although there are thirteen months in the Ethiopian calendar, MAR1STMO (V507) contains only values 1 to 12. Presumably, marriages that took place during the thirteenth month are given code 12.

Comparability — India [top]

The India 2005 survey only asks about the date of marriage. Cohabitation prior to marriage is not included in the date of marriage/union.

Comparability — Jordan [top]

The 1990, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2017 Jordan surveys ask about the month and year the respondent started living with her (first) husband or consummated their marriage.

Comparability — Morocco [top]

The 1987, 1992, and 2003 Moroccan surveys ask only about the date of marriage. Cohabitation prior to marriage is not included in the date of marriage/union.

Comparability — Pakistan [top]

The 1991, 2006, and 2012 Pakistan surveys ask only about the date of marriage. Cohabitation prior to marriage is not included in the date of marriage/union. The 2017 Pakistan asks the more standard, "In what month and year did you start living with your (first) husband?"

Comparability — Senegal [top]

The 1986, 1992, and 1997 Senegal questionnaires ask, "In what month and year did you consummate your union with your (first) husband/partner?" The 2005, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 Senegal questionnaires ask the more standard, "In what month and year did you start to live with your (first) husband/partner?"

Comparability — South Africa [top]

Unlike most other surveys, the 2016 South Africa survey does not limit marriage or cohabitation to a relationship between a man and a woman; the 2016 South Africa questionnaire asks about the woman's "spouse/partner."

Comparability — Tunisia [top]

The 1988 Tunisia survey asks only about the date of marriage. Cohabitation prior to marriage is not included in the date of marriage/union.